Tangney's Federal M.P., Peter Shack, has called upon credit card organisations to adopt a responsible approach to the question of issuing teenagers with credit cards.

" I have heard from a variety of sources that teenagers are the latest target for such organisations, and that they are being encouraged to use credit cards to pay for clothing, entertainment, and other goods and services," Mr Shack said.

" One incident which has been reported to me involved a young girl running up $1500 in purchases and interest charges on a card with a credit limit of $500.

"The retail chain which issued the card checked with the nominated employer to see that she work there, but did not ask about her income which was only about $30 per week from part-time work.

"When she subsequently lost her job, and fell behind on her payments it was four months before any follow up action was taken, by which time she was in dire financial difficulties.

"This incident shows just how imperative it is that young people are made aware of the dangers of using credit cards, and that those issuing the card act responsibly.

"These little bits of plastic can certainly be very handy, but unless they are used wisely they can become the "up to your neck in debt" card.

"If young people are encouraged to place too much reliance on credit cards there is a very real danger that they will lose their ability to pay cash for goods, and to be able to save for the future.

"The cards can make it all too easy to succumb to the

temptation to buy something that you cannot really afford, and if you do then it may be a case of buying now and paying forever.

"Young people must be educated about the dangers of credit cards and learn to use their money wisely and to save for the future.

"Getting into hock to credit card organisations is not the way to success, it is far more likely to be the slippery dip to financial ruin," Mr Shack said.